Historical Banner 

Preserving History 

The Ogemaw County Museum in now open to the public located at 135 South 2nd Street.  The phone number for the museum is 989-701-2525.  You may also contact Sally A. Rea at 989-343-0177 if needed.  Our hours are Thursday and Friday from 10:00am-2:00pm.  

The Historical Society has several historical books for sale.  100 Voices through 100 Years $20, History of Oriolette Basketball $15, Ogemaw Historical Review $20, Driving Tour Books $35/set or $10 each.

What better way to preserve the history of Ogemaw County than in the Blumenthal House which is a local historic landmark in itself.  You are welcome to stop in and see all the work that has been done - you will be amazed!

Blumenthal House
 Nancy Griffin posing outside the Blumenthal House
Photo courtesy of the Ogemaw County Voice

The house was built in 1908 for Bernard and Sophia Blumenthal, then later sold to Charles and Nellie Heigl.

Charles and Nellie rented the second floor rooms out while using the first floor as an upscale evening dining establishment with a "reservations only" policy.  Menu items included smoked meats which Charles smoked himself in the basement of the home.  In 1943, Nellie sold the home to Burt and Annie Parliament.

After years of various owners and periods of empty neglect, the Historical Society Board, it's members & volunteers  worked tirelessly to bring life back to the neglected structure.  They have completed many restoration projects to the home and will contintue to do so.






Hours Scroll




 
old museum x
First site of the Historical Museum - 123 S. Fifth St.
Photo courtesy of the Ogemaw County Voice
 

Some of the displays and items you can expect to see while visiting the museum.   
dresses main room
Parliment Wedding Appearal 
hats main room
Hats from an era before us 
sports
Trophy Room
Many of the High Scho0ls Trophies on display were salvaged
from the county dump by the West Branch Alumni.
They were cleaned and then donated to the mueseum. 
military
Uniforms of those that have served to protect 


Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a member of the Historical Society, or you think we might have information on your family history.  We would love to speak with you.

Information on this page was provided with great appreciation to the Ogemaw County Genealogical & Historical Society, the West Branch Centennial Book Committee, their publications "100 Voices Through 100 Years" , "Ogemaw County Historical Review", and the writings of LuAnn Zettle.

Ogemaw County Genealogical Society
135 S. 2nd Street, PO Box 734
West Branch, MI 48661
989-701-2525